Academics

Psalm 150 Settings

In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Concordia University Chicago, the music department has issued a series of settings of Psalm 150. These settings, in different styles and for different forces, are available for download and use by congregations, schools, and other entities of the church.

The compositions available include the following:

By Jonathan Kohrs, a setting for cantor with a congregational refrain (with text from LSB), accompanied by piano with optional flute, clarinet (or other C instruments), and bass. Written with CUC’s contemporary Psalm Ensemble in mind, this setting is in a somewhat contemporary style, but for acoustic instruments. The bass line and elements of the refrain are based on the initials of the various institutional names taken in its 150-year history: CTC, CC, CURF, CUC. Read the compositional notes to find out more.

By Maurice Boyer, a setting for accompanied women’s choir (SSAA) with a congregational psalm tone (with text from the Book of Common Prayer), accompanied by organ. The choir sings an extended antiphon before and after the psalm, which the choir and congregation alternate in singing to a unison psalm tone. Written for Laudate, CUC’s women’s choir, this setting evokes the harmonic language of 20th-century French music.

By Charles P. Brown, an anthem-like setting for unaccompanied men’s choir (TTBB), sung in German to the text from Martin Luther’s translation of the Bible from 1545. Written for Männerchor, CUC’s men’s choir, this setting hearkens back to the 19th-century German male chorus tradition and is a welcome addition to the men’s choir repertoire.

By Barry L. Bobb, a setting for unison children’s choir with piano (or organ) accompaniment, with options for 2- and 3-part choir, band, keyboard accompaniment and handbell accompaniment. Bobb graduated from CUC as an undergraduate in 1973 and in 1978 with a Master of Church Music degree. He received the honorary Doctor of Laws degree from CUC in 2000. He is currently serving as director of sanctuary music at Carmel Lutheran Church in Carmel, Indiana, and in a volunteer capacity as director of CUC’s Center for Church Music. This anthem-like setting is through-composed, allowing the music to reflect the text, with themes that recur with each instance of the words, “Praise the Lord!”